Andy Murray theory emerges following Novak Djokovic split in relationship claim
Former British tennis star and current pundit Andrew Castle doesn't believe Andy Murray would've been coaching Novak Djokovic in the literal sense of the word. The tennis world was left gobsmacked when it was revealed that the one-time competitors would join forces ahead of the Australian Open in January.
However, their intriguing partnership was short-lived, ending just six months later in May before the French Open. A flurry of speculation about why they parted ways soon followed.
Despite initial plans to maintain their professional relationship until Wimbledon, a string of disappointing results for Djokovic seems to have prompted a change of heart. Aside from clinching the Geneva Open, and making it to the semi-finals at Roland Garros since ditching the Scot, it's been a tough year overall for the 37-year-old.
Castle, 61, has a hunch that Murray was actually brought on board to provide tips to the 24-time Grand Slam champion, suggesting his role was "not the same" as a traditional coach.
"I don't see it as a coaching relationship," Castle said to Betway. "I don't see those types of relationships; I see it as support and somebody who has been in the trenches as well and understands [what is needed].
"Novak may need an observation now and again and you might say something along the lines of, 'You're 37 now and need to get to the ball earlier on a rally because you don't cover the courts as quickly as you did.;
"That's a truth so there could be observations like that. The tactical nous that Andy had was unbelievable so there can be a little bit of that and no doubt that was a plus.
"That was what I would see as those relationships but it's certainly not the same type of coaching as going down the club and getting the club pro to take me through [some techniques]."
Upon ending his partnership with Murray, Djokovic said: "We felt like we couldn't get more out of that partnership on the court, and that's all there is to it.
"My respect towards Andy remains the same, even more actually, I got to know him as a person. I think he has a brilliant tennis IQ, he has a very rare mind of a champion that obviously has achieved what he has achieved, and he sees the game incredibly well."
Murray, who retired last summer after the 2024 Paris Olympics, has said that the experience hasn't deterred him from considering coaching again in the future.
"I would do it again at some stage," Murray told the BBC. "I don't think that will happen immediately. I wasn't planning on going into coaching as soon as I finished playing but it was a pretty unique opportunity. It was a chance to learn from one of the best athletes of all time.
"It was a brilliant opportunity for me. We got to spend some really nice moments away from the court. Results weren't as we wanted but we gave it a go."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South Wales Argus
25 minutes ago
- South Wales Argus
Youngster dreaming of Wimbledon after reaching final of national comp
Brewester, 13, who attends Highgate School, featured in the national finals at Play Your Way to Wimbledon, powered by Vodafone, which is the UK's largest individual mass participation tennis competition and is delivered by Vodafone in partnership with the LTA and the All England Club. Thousands of players took part in the qualifying stages this year, leading to county and regional finals in June and July, with the winners progressing to the national finals on Wimbledon's Aorangi Courts last week. Brewester, who described Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka as her tennis icons, finished runner-up in the girls' U14 singles final – and revealed it was an experience she will never forget. She said: "It's a really good feeling to make the final because I've been here the whole week fighting to make it. Inspired by the wheelchair tennis on show at The Championships? Play Your Way to Wimbledon, powered by @VodafoneUK, allows recreational players of all ages and abilities to compete. Look out for your next local event to get involved! — Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 16, 2025 "I played really well in all of my matches and even though I didn't get the result that I wanted. 'I know a few people here that I've played with before and the environment is nice, it's quite calm. The people here treat you really well. "It's really inspired me to carry on my tennis because it's so amazing to be at Wimbledon and hopefully I get here as a professional one day. 'Hopefully I will go pro, it would be great to do that. It's amazing being here so it does feel like that is a little bit more possible." This year's tournament delivered over 10,000 playing opportunities with thousands of singles and doubles players taking part at 800 venues, leading to county and area finals in June and July, with the winners progressing to the national finals on the All England Club's Aorangi Courts from 3 – 9 August 2025, with Brewester representing Coolhurst Tennis Club. The competition aims to broaden playing opportunities and to inspire people of all ages and abilities to play tennis and follow in the footsteps of their tennis heroes by competing for a chance to play on Wimbledon's iconic courts. In addition to 14 and under singles, 18 and under doubles and adult doubles draws, the categories also included wheelchair (adult and juniors), learning disability and visually impaired competitions. The national finals also saw the return of popular para-standing and deaf tennis exhibition matches held during the week. Our grass courts are back in action 🤩 This week, they're hosting the Finals of Play Your Way to #Wimbledon, powered by @VodafoneUK 🎾 — Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) August 7, 2025 World No.1 wheelchair doubles partners and Vodafone ambassadors Alfie Hewett and Gordon Reid were in attendance to cheer on the youngsters at SW19 and offer his experience and advice. 'We would have loved to have had something like this when we were younger and playing'' said Hewett. 'Play your Way to Wimbledon is a massive event for someone to pick up a racket for the first time or start playing again if they haven't for a while. 'It's about being active at grassroots level, making friends and new tennis partners and that is the beauty of events like this.' Reid added: 'We want tennis to be available and accessible to everybody and get as many people as possible enjoying the sport. 'This event encapsulates that perfectly and we're proud to be a part of it.' Play Your Way to Wimbledon, powered by Vodafone, is the UK's largest individual mass participation tennis competition. It is delivered by Vodafone, in partnership with the LTA and the All England Club, forming part of the Vodafone's ongoing commitment to supporting grassroots tennis in the UK and making the sport more accessible for players of all ages and abilities.
South Wales Argus
25 minutes ago
- South Wales Argus
Young boy from Ukraine makes finals on iconic Wimbledon grass
Snaksarov, 13, who attends St Mongo's Academy and was born in Ukraine, featured in the national finals at Play Your Way to Wimbledon, powered by Vodafone, which is the UK's largest individual mass participation tennis competition and is delivered by Vodafone in partnership with the LTA and the All England Club. Thousands of players took part in the qualifying stages this year, leading to county and regional finals in June and July, with the winners progressing to the national finals on Wimbledon's Aorangi Courts last week. Snaksarov, who described Carlos Alcaraz as his tennis hero, finished runner-up in the boy's U14 singles final – and revealed it was an experience he will never forget. He said: "To make the finals for the first time here, it feels really good. Our grass courts are back in action 🤩 This week, they're hosting the Finals of Play Your Way to #Wimbledon, powered by @VodafoneUK 🎾 — Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) August 7, 2025 "Even though I lost, I still played the best I could out there in the final. "I've been playing tennis for seven years, ever since my dad started putting on competitions around Ukraine where we lived." This year's tournament delivered over 10,000 playing opportunities with thousands of singles and doubles players taking part at 800 venues, leading to county and area finals in June and July, with the winners progressing to the national finals on the All England Club's Aorangi Courts from 3 – 9 August 2025, with Snaksarov representing Western Tennis Club. The competition aims to broaden playing opportunities and to inspire people of all ages and abilities to play tennis and follow in the footsteps of their tennis heroes by competing for a chance to play on Wimbledon's iconic courts. In addition to 14 and under singles, 18 and under doubles and adult doubles draws, the categories also included wheelchair (adult and juniors), learning disability and visually impaired competitions. The national finals also saw the return of popular para-standing and deaf tennis exhibition matches held during the week. World No.1 wheelchair doubles partners and Vodafone ambassadors Alfie Hewett and Gordon Reid were in attendance to cheer on the youngsters at SW19 and offer his experience and advice. Inspired by the wheelchair tennis on show at The Championships? Play Your Way to Wimbledon, powered by @VodafoneUK, allows recreational players of all ages and abilities to compete. Look out for your next local event to get involved! — Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 16, 2025 'We would have loved to have had something like this when we were younger and playing'' said Hewett. 'Play your Way to Wimbledon is a massive event for someone to pick up a racket for the first time or start playing again if they haven't for a while. 'It's about being active at grassroots level, making friends and new tennis partners and that is the beauty of events like this.' Reid added: 'We want tennis to be available and accessible to everybody and get as many people as possible enjoying the sport. 'This event encapsulates that perfectly and we're proud to be a part of it.' Play Your Way to Wimbledon, powered by Vodafone, is the UK's largest individual mass participation tennis competition. It is delivered by Vodafone, in partnership with the LTA and the All England Club, forming part of the Vodafone's ongoing commitment to supporting grassroots tennis in the UK and making the sport more accessible for players of all ages and abilities.
Metro
an hour ago
- Metro
Resurgent Neil Robertson reveals decision that has 'transformed his life'
Neil Robertson is back at the top of snooker after feeling that things could not get much worse just 18 months ago and he credits a transformative decision for his resurgence. The Thunder from Down Under edged Ronnie O'Sullivan 10-9 to win a brilliant Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters final on Saturday in Jeddah. After building a substantial lead at 7-2, Robertson found himself 9-8 down, before forcing a decider and making a good break to down the seven-time world champ. That saw the Australian pocket the £500,000 top prize and shoot up to number three in the world rankings after a fine week which also saw him beat the likes of Mark Selby and Ali Carter. It is a far cry from just last year when he missed out on a trip to the Crucible after falling out of the top 16 in the rankings and losing in World Championship qualifying. 'This is a huge rebound from right at the bottom,' Robertson said on Sunday night. 'Things couldn't have been any worse for me 18 months ago. So to be able to come back the way I have I think this is a feel good story.' Given the context of the victory and who it was against, Robertson reckons it is the finest of his career, and he is sure it could not have happened without the new team he has set up of sports psychologist Helen Davis and coach, mentor and friend Joe Perry. The 43-year-old especially heaped praise on Davis, who he started working with last season, as life-changing. 'I always thought I was really strong mentally, which I am, but I think when you see an actual specialist, a sports psychologist…and you look at tennis players and golfers, they're always thanking their team whenever they win you know that's the first people they thank is their team,' he said. 'That's what I've managed to set up with with Helen Davis, who's worked with Wimbledon champions, and with Joe. 'At the start of the summer the three of us were on a Zoom call and we talked for about two hours about what is the plan for the season, the mindset, the style of play, what we want to achieve and to see it all come together so quickly is amazing. 'Helen has just transformed my life, she really has. The first meeting with her I was just like: 'Wow I really want to do!'' Robertson has also been working on his fitness, which he feels helped him over the line on Sunday after O'Sullivan bounced back from 7-2 behind to draw level at 7-7 and then the match went all the way to a deciding frame. 'Physically I'm in the best physical shape I've ever been in,' he said. 'I lose that final all day long last year because I wasn't. 'Even though I had improved a lot in a lot of things I still wasn't physically where I'm at. Where I'm at now is really strong, I didn't feel tired at all or at any point this week and that's probably the first time I think I've won an event where that didn't happen.' Back among the very elite of the game, questions will again be asked of Robertson's Crucible credentials as he has not been to the World Championship final since he won the title in 2010. The Saudi Arabia Masters was Robertson's 26th ranking title so his relatively poor record in Sheffield is confusing and he admits doubts had crept in over whether he could overcome it. 'I'm not obsessed about winning another world title as probably I have been the last six or seven years but this was the type of win that tells me within myself I can definitely do it,' he said. 'There has been sort of some doubts. 'But to beat the players that I have this week, to beat Ronnie in a final when he comes back at you like that. I've never experienced anything like that before in my life.' The brilliant final was played between two players who have the utmost respect for each other and while O'Sullivan was obviously disappointed to lose, he does wish Robertson every success. 'He calls me pretty frequently,' Robertson said of the Rocket. 'He wants to see me win more world titles and more tournaments, he really wants to see me do well. To have that kind of relationship with him is incredibly special. 'He's one of the inspirations for me. Growing up as a kid there's no way I would have thought as a 14 or 15 year old that I'll be competing against Ronnie in major finals or I'll be where I am today 30 years later. More Trending 'It's got to go down as one of the greatest finals of all time. To be a part of that and to be on the right side of it as well. 'I also believe if he's playing anyone else in the world then he probably wins today. I think from 7-2 to 7-7. I'm not too sure…maybe Judd [Trump] or Kyren [Wilson] could possibly withstand that 'To be able to withstand the pressure and to be the first person who stood up to him this week when he's come back like an absolute freight train, that's more pleasing than if I went on to win the match 10-4 or 10-5. To win it in this this way from 9-8 down and the two breaks I made the last two frames, just amazing.' MORE: Ronnie O'Sullivan makes historic two 147s in stunning Saudi Arabia Masters semi MORE: Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters 2025 results, schedule, TV channel and prize money MORE: How Chang Bingyu has exploded back from match-fixing ban to become snooker force
